The Pillars of an Entrepreneurial Career

Published May 14, 2009 @ 05:37AM PT

Working with undergraduates, I've been in an extraordinary position to see just how dramatically we fail our students when it comes to preparing them for careers devoted to global social change. Passionate, talented students devote themselves for years to local and global volunteerism and social entrepreneurship, yet when it comes time for them to graduate, the best we seem to be able to do is point them to the McKinsey (or more recently, Teach for America) recruitment booth.

It's for this reason that I'm so excited that today we're launching a whole new part of the site, Jobs for Change. Inspired by the momentum for social change that was so accelerated during the presidential campaign, we launched Ideas for Change in America. We wanted to give average citizens a chance to build momentum the social issues to which they were devoted.

In many ways, Jobs for Change is part two. People who are passionate and devoted to the causes they care about should have access to better support and guidance along that process. And while there are lots of great organizations who take on a piece of this program, I'm excited to see us bringing so many brilliant voices on careers.

In honor of the launch, I thought it would be fun to throw out four tips for bringing an entrepreneurial spirit to a career search.

1. Take Risks

The hallmark of the entrepreneurial spirit is being willing to take risks. All of us have different types and levels of safety nets, which will of course dictate just how risky we can be, but the spirit of being willing to give it a try is essential. Even if it doesn't work out, following a passion is one of the most rewarding things anyone can do.

2. Build a Reputation for Kicking Butt

When you're trying to get people to buy into your vision as an entrepreneur, a track record of totally crushing whatever you try to do is one of your best assets. It's the same for getting a job - often times a track record of kicking butt in an entirely unrelated field can be as (or more) valuable than mediocrity in the supposedly right arena.

3. Rely on Friends

All entrepreneurs are community organizers, and usually the communities they organize are the communities of resources their friends and family give them access to. Basically, social capital is the most essential currency in which the entrepreneur traffics. So it is for the entrepreneurial job seeker. Being outgoing, willing to help, and an active member of your friends' lives is simply the best way to improve your odds that you'll be in the right place at the right time for the incredible opportunity.

4. Maximize Meaning

We're in a moment where we increasingly recognize that the most important thing is not maximizing profit but maximizing meaning. People want purpose, and they want to contribute to making the world a better place. Your job doesn't have to be a nonprofit to constantly find ways to invest more of yourself and create more meaning.

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Thanks for the great advice I agree whole heartily and will be incorporating these principles in my new non profit web site!
blessings Walt.

Posted by Walt Vasco on 05/14/2009 @ 01:26PM PT
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This is brilliant.I agree with you in the issue of relying on friends to raise capital.
A lot of intending enterprenuers never knew there are other ways of raisin capital other than bank loan.

Posted by oluchi okorie on 05/16/2009 @ 05:53AM PT
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I am a Special Educator but have many years in the business sector. Professional networking is the mobilization for project based networking. This especially applies to cause-related networking projects. Worrying about funding should not be an issue. If your idea is sound and you get the word out effectively, the right people will find you. Talk, but act! Prepare for the future by being part of it.

Posted by Michael Leventhal on 05/16/2009 @ 08:37AM PT
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I like this post very much and think everything in it is great advice. The only two things I'd add are determination and flexibility.

Posted by Michele Rodriguez on 05/16/2009 @ 10:12PM PT
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Great advice and I agree 100%

Posted by Andrea M on 05/23/2009 @ 02:05PM PT
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Absolutely brilliant advice. I think that taking risks is a really important aspect as we are blazing new trails. It's time to start thinking in new ways about they ways in which we will do business and the social responsibility that we have. I am SOO excited to be a part of this community!!

Posted by Amy Cross on 06/08/2009 @ 08:02AM PT
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Author

Nathaniel is the founding Director of the Center for Global Engagement at Northwestern University, which works annually with hundreds of students in dozens of countries around the world through curricular programs and student project incubation.